Update on alleged Obama threats made by RPD officers

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – A top city official talked Friday about allegations some Richmond police officers made in appropriated and threatening comments about the Commander-in-Chief and first lady.

A secret service investigation led to an internal investigation.

Richmond’s Chief Administrative officer Byron Marshall reponds to our questions after a whistleblower accused some Richmond police officers of making inappropriate comments about President Obama in May, hours before he kicked off his re-election campaign at VCU.

“Those allegations are being investigated and as a result of those allegations, there’s some personnel action being taken,” said Marshall.

But Marshall wouldn’t go into details.

According to the anonymous source within the Richmond Police Department, the alleged statements were made by two officers, including a 20-year police veteran.

“There was an officer providing exterior security to the President on that day on the phone with the supervisor. The supervisor said to that particular officer, ‘you`re down there right? So, you can take a couple of shots, you might have to kill yourself, but you can take a couple of shots.’”

The RPD source told CBS 6 News’ Sandra Jones that the supervisor said that to a sharpshooter while on the phone during the department`s roll call.

“Another officer in the background started talking and he said, `yeah, somebody should plant a bomb underneath the stage while they`re on there and blow it up,” said the source.

Marshall said the situation is going through the administrative process, which he says takes up to 45 days. And as it stands, the officers are still on the city’s payroll.

“The actions have not come to me yet, and I’m the one who makes the final decision,” said Marshall.

Marshall says Chief Bryan Norwood’s job is not in jeopardy — and that the situation is being painted as though it’s a political issue.

“This is a personnel matter and it’s being handled administratively,” said Marshall.